20 May 2016

Platform Festival

Live events, News /

Mercury Prize winner Badly Drawn Boy, American country queen Gretchen Peters and Radio 2 favourites The Shires will lead the Saturday line-up for Pocklington’s Platform Festival at The Old Station on July 16. Danny And The Champions Of The World, Seafret, The Dunwells, Orphan Colours, Barcode Zebra, Plumhall, Jake Morrell, Amelia White, Dan Webster and Wildflowers are all confirmed for the closing day of the week-long festival, organised by the Pocklington Arts Centre management team of Janet Farmer and James Duffy. “We’re delighted to announce the final day’s line-up, and I believe the range of artists performing this year reflects everything that Pocklington Arts Centre has become known for over the past 15 years,” says Janet. “We aim to build on the success of last year’s Platform Festival and establish the event on the national festival circuit.” As was the case in 2015, the Saturday bill will have an Emerge Stage on “Platform 2” in the station, featuring Daisy Allen, Jake Morrell and more names besides, plus an open-air Access To Music Stage on “Platform 3”, whose line-up will take shape in due course. “We’ll once again be working with Charlie Daykin and Access To Music, promoting young, emerging talent from across the region who’ll be performing on our outdoor stage,” says Janet. “This collaboration was highly successful last year and was a huge hit with audience members.” Badly Drawn Boy’s Damon Gough will perform a solo set in the wake of this year’s expanded reissue of his Mercury Prize-winning debut from June 2000, The Hour Of Bewilderbeast. “It’s been a curious, wonderful, inimitable, unpredictable career so far of major prizes and minor incidents, all possibilities and magic in the air for the Badly Drawn genius,” says the festival literature. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Gretchen Peters will be accompanied by her band, as last heard on Yorkshire turf at Harrogate Royal Hall last March when promoting her UK country chart-topping album, Blackbirds, with pianist husband Barry Walsh to the fore. Blackbirds went on to win International Album of the Year and Song of the Year – for the title track – at the inaugural UK Americana awards in February. In 2015, The Daily Telegraph named Gretchen as one of the best 60 female singer-songwriters of all time, further testament to her gift for penning introspective songs covered by pop, country, blues and folk artists, such as Patty Loveless, Bonnie Raitt, Shania Twain and Martina McBride. The Shires, Britain’s most successful country export, return to the Platform event after appearing last year on the back of Pocklington Arts Centre shows in 2014 and 2015. Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes have become the first ever UK act to play the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, seen their debut album, Brave, go gold and opened The Corrs’ arena comeback shows. Led by Danny George Wilson, formerly of Aussie ex-pats Grand Drive, the blue-collar country soul band Danny And The Champions Of The World took home three gongs from the UK Americana awards, winning UK Song of the Year for Clear Water, UK Album of the Year for What Kind Of Love and UK Artist of the Year. “What Kind Of Love has added more than a tinge of Northern Soul, clearly has Van Morrison as an influence and nods a head to Dexys, all this wrapped up in a comforting blues-rock blanket,” says James Duffy. From Yorkshire, Seafret’s Bridlington duo of vocalist Jack Sedman and guitarist Harry Draper have just released their debut album, Tell Me It’s Real, while Pock Arts Centre favourites The Dunwells, alias Leeds brothers Joe and David Dunwell and their school friends Rob Clayton and Adam Taylor, will showcase their newly arrived second album, Light Up The Sky. Orphan Colours are an alt-country rock band from London, formed by Ahab singer-songwriter Steven ‘Seebs’ Llewellyn and Fred Abbott, lead guitarist of the sadly disbanded Noah and The Whale, plus ex-Ahab singer Dave Burn on vocals and guitar, Danny And The Champs drummer Steve Brooks and bass player Graham Knight. Barcode Zebra, the Yorkshire soul, pop and funk band, have changed lead vocalist since playing the 2015 Platform Festival, with Eve Maule-Cole joining Charlie Daykin, keyboards, Emma Whitehead, percussion, and Ruth Wilde, bass and guitar. Wildflowers will line up with the Bennett sisters Siddy on lead vocals and guitar and Kit on vocals, accordion and keyboards, plus co-songwriter James Ashbury on vocals, mandolin, acoustic guitar and kick drum. “If you like breezy, supremely melodic, semi-acoustic pop with roots in both the UK folk-rock and US singer-songwriter movements of the late Sixties and early Seventies, then you’ll love Wildflowers,” says James Duffy. PLATFORM FESTIVAL Saturday 16th July at 1.00pm (12.00pm Doors) The Old Station, Pocklington Tickets £40.00 (Adult), £30.00 (Under 18) & £130.00 (Family Ticket) Box office (01759) 301547 www.platformfestival.net www.pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk

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Lincoln Folk, Roots & World Music Festival

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The Drill Hall Sunday 31st July 2016 2 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.   Bio and Line-up Lindisfarne – the legendary 70s folk-rock pioneers return to form with a classic six-piece line up of long-time members fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements on vocals, mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar. With a repertoire of unforgettable songs like Meet Me On The Corner, Fog On The Tyne, Lady Eleanor and Run For Home and a reputation for live performance second to none, Lindisfarne’s power to galvanise festival and concert audiences remains undimmed and is guaranteed to get the crowd on its feet and singing along. Lindisfarne 2016 are: Rod Clements (1969-present) Vocal, mandolin, fiddle, guitars Dave Hull-Denholm (1994-present) Vocal, guitars Steve Daggett (1986-present) Vocal, keyboards, guitars Charlie Harcourt (1973-present) Guitar, vocal Ian Thomson (1995-present) Bass, vocal Paul Thompson (ex-Roxy Music) Drums http://www.lindisfarne.co.uk/  Julie Felix – recently celebrated 50 years in the world of music last year. In 1964 Julie arrived in England after leaving California and became the first solo folk artist to be signed to a major British record company when she signed with Decca. In 1966 Julie became the resident singer on the amazingly popular TV programme “The Frost Report”, and quickly became a household name. She went on to appear in her own TV series on BBC1 and BBC2 and recorded hit singles on Mickey Most’s RAK label. After a break from the music world in the 1980’s, Julie began singing for Latin American Refugees, for woman’s and gay rights and for peace projects including protests against the war in the Gulf. Julie created the Remarkable Records label and released ‘Bright Shadows’, her first album for 10 years. In June 2013, Julie performed at the prestigious Leicester Square Theatre to celebrate her 75th birthday and in October she was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla. http://www.juliefelix.co.uk/   Polly And The Billets Doux – Polly and the Billets Doux are something brilliantly different. Known for their flawless and energy-filled live performances, the genre-defying quartet Polly and the Billets Doux boast a genius blend of Folk, Pop, Rock N’ Roll, Soul, Country, Blues and even Gospel. They have a solid reputation and extensive history of headline tours up and down the country; from Ullapool to Brighton, and almost everywhere in between. Polly and the Billets Doux released 2013’s ‘Head of Steam’ EP, which charted at 17 on the Radio 1 Indie Chart followed by their critically acclaimed album which featured in ‘The Word’ Magazine’s Best New Music. Polly and the Billets Doux have also been championed by Bob Harris & Terry Wogan on Radio 2, Tom Robinson on Radio 6 as well as live sessions with Cerys Matthews and‘Loose Ends’ on Radio 4. The album attracted critical acclaim from The Sunday Times and The Daily Mirror. The last few years have seen major festival appearances including Glastonbury, the Big Chill, The Secret Garden Party, and Cambridge Folk and a Support slot with The Fun loving Criminals. After a well received headline tour of Ireland the band were back on the road shortly after with a new album ‘Money Tree’ winning great press support inc cover-disc features on UNCUT and R2. This saw the band embark on their longest tour to date including an extensive headline tour of Germany. Their reputation as a formidable force on the stage is spreading quickly. It’s going to be a big year for this vibrant, exciting and hugely promising band. http://pollyandthebilletsdoux.co.uk/   Said The Maiden – are Jess Distill, Hannah Elizabeth and Kathy Pilkinton, three friends who discovered a mutual love of folk music when they reunited several years after spending their school years together in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. The group sing traditional songs from around the UK and America, often in three part acapella harmony but also using guitar, violin, mandolin, woodwind, accordion and percussion to embellish their sound. From tentatively performing a few songs at their local Redbourn Folk club in 2012 and later being asked to appear at one of the club’s guest nights, the group soon secured support and headline slots at folk clubs and festivals around the country, including Folk By The Oak, Folkeast, Gate to Southwell, Shepley and Bunkfest. These opportunities have in turn led to invitations to support many fantastic artists including The Fisherman’s Friends, Jim Moray, Megson, Martin Carthy, Sam Carter, Hannah James and Sam Sweeney, Treacherous Orchestra and Clannad. They were also honoured to join legendary fiddler Dave Swarbrick on a successful UK solo tour in the spring of 2014, and released their debut album ‘A Curious Tale’ in June of the same year. In May 2015 Said The Maiden was awarded Bristol Folk Festival’s prestigious Isambard Folk Award, and as a result opened for folk super-group The Full English at the 2015 Bristol Folk Festival. Most recently the group was voted for by festival-goers at the Great British Folk Festival 2015 as ‘best act’ on the Introducing Stage on the opening night, and will be performing on one of the festival’s main stages in December 2016. http://www.saidthemaiden.co.uk/   The Life And Times Of Brothers Hogg – Born from the fires of facial hair and fiddle, The Life and Times of the Brothers Hogg are a collaboration of jaundiced punk rockers, eighties throwbacks, jigs, reels and troubled songwriting, fused together amidst the maelstrom of traditional music and real ale. More recently the Brothers have been gifted again in the trouser front, through the joining of vocal and percussion maestro Nena ‘throw another shrimp on the Barbie mate’ Mager and string twanging Shane ‘should it be that colour’ Thornberry. With a back catalogue of songs containing Greek myth and tragedy to murder and substance abuse these guys can only entertain and leave you wanting more (and lets face it, you could probably have some). The brothers began their sentimental journey with the passing of a Great lady and her dearest memories. Adhering to the traditions of respect and servitude the

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Harpenden Folk, Roots & World Music Festival

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Harpenden Folk, Roots & World Music Festival Harpenden Public Halls Saturday 27th August 2016 2 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.   Bio and Line-up Lindisfarne – the legendary 70s folk-rock pioneers return to form with a classic six-piece line up of long-time members fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements on vocals, mandolin, fiddle and slide guitar. With a repertoire of unforgettable songs like Meet Me On The Corner, Fog On The Tyne, Lady Eleanor and Run For Home and a reputation for live performance second to none, Lindisfarne’s power to galvanise festival and concert audiences remains undimmed and is guaranteed to get the crowd on its feet and singing along. Lindisfarne 2016 are: Rod Clements (1969-present) Vocal, mandolin, fiddle, guitars Dave Hull-Denholm (1994-present) Vocal, guitars Steve Daggett (1986-present) Vocal, keyboards, guitars Charlie Harcourt (1973-present) Guitar, vocal Ian Thomson (1995-present) Bass, vocal Paul Thompson (ex-Roxy Music) Drums http://www.lindisfarne.co.uk/    Julie Felix – recently celebrated 50 years in the world of music last year. In 1964 Julie arrived in England after leaving California and became the first solo folk artist to be signed to a major British record company when she signed with Decca. In 1966 Julie became the resident singer on the amazingly popular TV programme “The Frost Report”, and quickly became a household name. She went on to appear in her own TV series on BBC1 and BBC2 and recorded hit singles on Mickey Most’s RAK label. After a break from the music world in the 1980’s, Julie began singing for Latin American Refugees, for woman’s and gay rights and for peace projects including protests against the war in the Gulf. Julie created the Remarkable Records label and released ‘Bright Shadows’, her first album for 10 years. In June 2013, Julie performed at the prestigious Leicester Square Theatre to celebrate her 75th birthday and in October she was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla. http://www.juliefelix.co.uk/   Polly And The Billets Doux – Polly and the Billets Doux are something brilliantly different. Known for their flawless and energy-filled live performances, the genre-defying quartet Polly and the Billets Doux boast a genius blend of Folk, Pop, Rock N’ Roll, Soul, Country, Blues and even Gospel. They have a solid reputation and extensive history of headline tours up and down the country; from Ullapool to Brighton, and almost everywhere in between. Polly and the Billets Doux released 2013’s ‘Head of Steam’ EP, which charted at 17 on the Radio 1 Indie Chart followed by their critically acclaimed album which featured in ‘The Word’ Magazine’s Best New Music. Polly and the Billets Doux have also been championed by Bob Harris & Terry Wogan on Radio 2, Tom Robinson on Radio 6 as well as live sessions with Cerys Matthews and‘Loose Ends’ on Radio 4. The album attracted critical acclaim from The Sunday Times and The Daily Mirror. The last few years have seen major festival appearances including Glastonbury, the Big Chill, The Secret Garden Party, and Cambridge Folk and a Support slot with The Fun loving Criminals. After a well received headline tour of Ireland the band were back on the road shortly after with a new album ‘Money Tree’ winning great press support inc cover-disc features on UNCUT and R2. This saw the band embark on their longest tour to date including an extensive headline tour of Germany. Their reputation as a formidable force on the stage is spreading quickly. It’s going to be a big year for this vibrant, exciting and hugely promising band. http://pollyandthebilletsdoux.co.uk/   Dexeter – “It may be 4000 miles to Nashville, but Dexeter make you feel like you are already there…” Baylen Leonard, BBC Radio 2 Country. Dexeter have moved from strength to strength since first appearing at the Country 2 Country festival in London in 2014, going on to open tours for Brit Country favourites The Shires, Ward Thomas and Raintown as well as playing all over the UK with acts including Laura Oakes, Sasha McVeigh, Honey Ryder, Jess and The Bandits, and the Pistol Annies’ very own Angeleena Presley amongst others. The Leicestershire act returned to the O2 for Country 2 Country in 2015, where hundreds of enthusiastic fans poured into the atrium to sing along to crowd favourites including songs from their crowdfunded debut album “Four Thousand Miles To Nashville” which reached number 14 in the iTunes country chart. Dexeter lifted the roof at this year’s Country 2 Country festival, playing three shows at the O2 in London to wonderful acclaim including receiving the only standing ovation at Bob Harris’s Under The Apple Tree stage. The lyric video for new single ‘Waiting For A Lifetime’ had 4200 views in its first 48 hours online. Dexeter played their first London headline show to a sold out Camden Barfly on a hot summer’s night in July, and with a Bob Harris Apple Tree Session under their belt, live dates in Nashville (including performing at The Bluebird Cafe), three songs featured on BBC Introducing and a brand new EP set for release in April, 2016 is already looking bright for the band, dubbed by Chris Country Radio to be “the hardest working band in UK country music”. http://dexeterband.co.uk/about/   Said The Maiden – are Jess Distill, Hannah Elizabeth and Kathy Pilkinton, three friends who discovered a mutual love of folk music when they reunited several years after spending their school years together in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. The group sing traditional songs from around the UK and America, often in three part acapella harmony but also using guitar, violin, mandolin, woodwind, accordion and percussion to embellish their sound. From tentatively performing a few songs at their local Redbourn Folk club in 2012 and later being asked to appear at one of the club’s guest nights, the group soon secured support and headline slots at folk clubs and festivals around the country, including Folk By The Oak, Folkeast, Gate to Southwell, Shepley and Bunkfest. These opportunities have in turn led to invitations

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Summertyne Americana Festival

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22-24 June 2016 Now firmly established in the summer calendar, SummerTyne Americana Festival at Tyneside’s Sage Gateshead is a three day jamboree that celebrates American roots music and brings together some of the finest and most exciting performers from both sides of the Atlantic. With the UK’s appetite for country music steadily growing SummerTyne kicks off with an exciting transatlantic double bill of two of the hottest young acts to break on to the scene, with an exclusive appearance by Nashville’s Striking Matches and the UK’s Ward Thomas. Saturday night’s headliner is rockabilly queen Imelda May and on Sunday two of the Americana scenes most influential award winning singer songwriters, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Gretchen Peters perform. There are rare appearances by Texas’ favourite country duo Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison plus Brennen Leigh & Noel McKay, New York’s new folk pioneers The Mike + Ruthy Band and Gill Landry from Old Crow Medicine Show. There’ll be dazzling bluegrass styling’s from Ron Block (Alison Krauss and Union Station) with mandolin protégé Sierra Hull and a highly anticipated bluegrass rework of The Who’s rock opera Tommy, by The HillBenders. There’ll be raw, authentic blues, soul and southern rock from The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Lucky Peterson and The Kentucky Headhunters. On the free Jumpin’ Hot outdoor stage, country appetites will be sated by Eve Selis, 10 String Symphony, Luke & Mel, Urban Pioneers and Mary Jean Lewis plus soaring country gospel from Yolanda Carter and Mississippi blues from Little Victor. With street food, a film programme and more acts still to be announced, you’re sure to find something to put a smile on your face. It’s SummerTyne time! For more details go to summertyne.com or call Ticket Office on 0191 443 4661.

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Shrewsbury Folk Festival

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A trio of chart toppers with a number of Top 40 hits between them will be one of the highlights of this year’s Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Nick Lowe, Paul Carrack and Andy Fairweather Low will perform together at the four-day event at the West Mid Showground from August 26 to 29. Lowe, who had hits with I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass and Cruel to be Kind, will be reunited with Carrack (Mike & The Mechanics and Squeeze) and Fairweather Low, performer of hits including Wide Eyed and Legless and (If Paradise Is) Half as Nice, following their debut outing at last year’s Glastonbury. They will join, among others, Grammy award winning American singer songwriter Rosanne Cash – the daughter of country singer Johnny, folk rock band the Levellers, Eliza Carthy and the Wayward Band, world music star Raghu Dixit and festival favourites Show of Hands on the bill. Dubbed a ‘key date in the UK folk music calendar’ by the Daily Telegraph and recognised by the Sunday Times as a ‘family friendly folk staple’, Shrewsbury has it all regardless of your taste in music. This year marks the 20th festival organised in the county by directors Alan and Sandra Surtees and is widely regarded as one of the top UK events of its type for its imaginative programming and high production values. The riverside site is within walking distance of the medieval town centre. There are four music venues including the two main stages, which seat thousands, and the main stage has a mosh pit that can fit more than 1,000 people. The children’s festival Pandemonium! offers everything from storytelling to crafts, circus skills, lantern making, drama, dance and music workshops for the younger festivalgoers. Coupled with the ever-popular Panic Circus, it’s an integral part of any family festival experience! The Refolkus youth programme is always in demand. The Big Band will be back this year alongside all manner of other folk related fun for 11 to 20-year-olds. There is a huge dance tent with specialist flooring for ceilidhs, workshops and dance shows. Top that with more than 100 workshops every year from yoga to music sessions, dance classes, and songwriting, and there is never a dull moment. There’s a free bus into town on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the fringe events, which include a dance parade and displays and pub sessions or you can stay on site and enjoy the craft fair, food village, and real ale, wine and cocktail bars. If you want to make a weekend of it, there’s superb on-site camping with hot showers! * Tickets start from £35 and are available at www.shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk

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Buckle and Boots Festival

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24-26 June 2016 – Whitebottom Farm, Etherow Park, Manchester Taking place at Whitebottom Farm at Etherow Park between 24-26 June, Buckle and Boots Festival is set to combine some of the brightest talents in country music from the US as well as the thriving UK scene, providing a truly unique outdoor festival experience for country fans far and wide. With a variety of food, drink and camping facilities on site, Buckle and Boots is the first country festival of its kind in the UK, creating a friendly, communal atmosphere that fans are sure to embrace. If you’ve been to an event at Etherow Park before you’ll already know that all the action takes place in a stunning rural setting. The site is right next to Compstall Nature Reserve, a very special wildlife site looked after by a local conservation charity, Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Situated on the banks of the River Etherow, this beautiful reserve is made up of reed bed, open water and woodland which provide a haven for some of the region’s most threatened wildlife. It’s a fantastic hotspot for birds such as the kingfisher and yellow wagtail, plus a whole host of dragonflies and damselflies. For every ticket sold, a donation will be made to the trust to help with conservation work! Three stages will be set up at the festival for 50 acts. The Heineken Stage will host the headline acts across the weekend, as well as some of the established talents making an impact on the UK country scene and the US scene. The Acoustic Stage will be an opportunity for fans to catch some of the brightest up and coming artists in the genre, including home-grown talents Georgia Paris, Paul Carella, Lisa Wright and many more. The BCMA will also have their own ‘Horizon’ stage, where fans will be able to catch a glimpse of some of the best song writers and musicians in the UK including the likes of Thorne Hill, The Southern Companion and Outlander. The line-up is impressive to say the least. Buckle and Boots have succeeded with flying colours in attracting a huge array of talent. Headlining on Friday 24th will be Glaswegian duo Raintown, who have established themselves as front-runners in the UK country music industry with their pop-country style and powerful stage presence. Paul Bain and Claire McArthur-Bain have stunned crowds on multiple occasions at Country2Country in London, performing at the Brooklyn Bowl for two years running, and their most recent album ‘Writing On The Wall’ received remarkable reviews. Last year they embarked on a headlining UK tour, where they were joined by Dexeter who also feature on the Buckle and Boots line-up. Ward Thomas were recently announced as headliners for Saturday 25th after a short while out of the spotlight. Catherine and Lizzy have been focusing on material for their next project, following the incredible success of ‘From Where We Stand’ which reached #1 on the UK Country Chart back in 2014. A number of their songs have been playlisted on BBC Radio 2, they appeared as special guests on Terry Wogan’s show, and most recently, they signed a record deal with Sony Music UK, a sign of their undoubted talent and enormous potential. Their gorgeous harmonies and infectious tracks will certainly delight Buckle and Boots attendees. Concluding the festival on Sunday 26th will be US chart-topper Phil Vassar. Since his debut in the late 1990s, Phil Vassar has achieved two #1 hits and an impressive eight Top 10 singles in the US, and he has also established himself as one of Nashville’s most talented song writers. His co-writes include hit singles ‘For A Little While’ and ‘My Next Thirty Years’ for Tim McGraw, ‘Right On The Money’ for Alan Jackson and ‘Little Red Rodeo’ for Collin Raye. Not to mention his Top New Male Vocalist win at the 2002 ACM Awards. Phil’s unique take on country and his incisive, soulful lyrics have truly stood the test of time, and you won’t want to miss such a charismatic showman at Buckle and Boots. You’ll also be able to catch two stellar UK acts on the Sunday in the form of Northern Irishman Gary Quinn and Liverpool songstress Laura Oakes. Tickets are available from AXS priced at just £50 for a weekend ticket. Alternatively, you can buy single day tickets, priced at £20 for the Friday, £25 for the Saturday and £25 for the Sunday. For fans planning to camp at the festival, a camping pass can also be purchased for £15 per person (includes ‘posh loos and hot showers’). You won’t get better value for money anywhere else! For more details and the full line-up, check out www. buckleandboots.co.uk

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